Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chandra's POV

"I want to taste you." Imara perked up at Kai's words and I felt my heart start to race.

"What?" I stuttered out. One minute he was pissed off about something he wasn't willing to share with me and the next he... I couldn't even think about it. He pressed himself even closer to me and his breath fanned my neck.

"I. Want. To. Taste. You," he said slowly, enunciating each word to make sure that I heard him, but there was nothing wrong with my hearing. I had heard him perfectly fine the first time. I was just shocked by what he said.

"Uh," I wasn't sure what to say. What do you say to someone after that? Suddenly all sorts of thoughts started to play in my mind and none of them were the sexy kind. How long has it been since my last shower? What if I had to use the bathroom? I've shifted twice today, was I even fresh enough for him to taste?

Would you please stop? Imara groaned.

Sorry. I can't help it.

Kai cupped my face and lifted my head so I would have to look at him. He was so close to me that it wouldn't take much for either of us to lean in and press our lips together.

"I can see that pretty little mind of yours working overtime." He pressed his lips gently to mine. "Go. Do whatever you have to, but before the night is over I will have a taste of you. Even if it's the only thing I ever get to do."

Another small kiss and he stepped away and released me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and stood in my place while he moved back to his seat.

What did he mean? Imara questioned.

Huh?

Kitchen. Now.

I jolted out of my trance and quickly made my way to the kitchen to make dinner. While I gathered up the ingredients, Imara replayed Kai's final words to me.

What did he mean by that?

I don't know but it didn't sound good. I think you should let him do whatever he wants with you, including mate.

Imara. I rolled my eyes. I already told him I was ready to mate with him. I don't think there's more I need to do.

Imara moved to the back of my mind while I concentrated on making dinner. I had already told Kai I was open to mating with him. His request threw me for a loop, but I wasn't opposed to it. What did he mean that about it might being the only thing he could do? The comment didn't make any sense to me.

I finished dinner and went to get Kai. Something must have happened when he was in the kitchen with Alec and Troy because his whole mood had shifted. He held my hand during the short walk back to the kitchen and I had to convince him to let me sit in my own seat while we ate instead of on his lap.

"Do you want to mate tonight?" I asked. I wasn't sure why I was asking, but I wanted us to be on the same page.

He gripped his fork tightly in his hand and his face furrowed in a frown. He cleared his throated and spoke without looking up. "No." that was it. One simple word and I didn't know how to react. I wish that we were fated so that I would be able to read his emotions. Something was going on with him and I desperately wanted to know what it was.

We finished dinner and he offered to help me clean up. He wants to be close to us. I couldn't ready his emotions, btu I could recognize that without Imara's help. After the kitchen was clean I turned to look at him, but he seemed to be in his own head. I placed my hand on his shoulder and waited until he turned to look at me.